Opportunities to thrive


At St Andrew's and St Mark's CofE Junior School, we are committed to providing every child with opportunities to thrive. Through a wide range of academic, creative, and personal development programs, we nurture confident, resilient, and lifelong learners in a caring and supportive Christian environment. 

Here are some of the opportunities available to pupils to enhance core academic learning and develop pupils holistically:

Educational visits

As a result of the outstanding efforts from our Parent Teacher Association (PTA), all non-residential educational visits are provided at no cost to parents and carers.

Residential visits include the Big Sleep (Y4), Marchants Hill (Y5) and the Isle of Wight (Y6). These are provided free-of-charge to pupils in receipt of the Pupil Premium Grant.


Here are some of the educational visits that have taken place at SASM in the past 12 months:

Curriculum clubs and enrichment

Outside of the core curriculum and visits, we plan enrichment events for pupils to gain a broad range of experiences.

Here are some of the enrichment events that have taken place at SASM in the past 12 months:

'Fullness Focus' Days

In the final week of each half term, we run 'Fullness Focus' days. These give pupils the opportunity to explore learning beyond the statutory curriculum. Recently, themes have included: Speaking and listening; Rights Respecting; Easter Around the World; a Sense of Place and Alternative Energy.

Sports Participation

We believe that as many pupils as possible should have the opportunity to represent SASM in sports events and the school does not have a 'first' or 'second' sports team. We take part in a huge range of sports events across the borough and beyond, including hockey, football, cross country, table tennis, New Age Kurling and dodgeball. We are especially proud that SEND pupils not only represent the school in events but also experience success; for example, our SEND pupil team recently represented the Borough of Kingston in the London Youth Games for New Age Kurling.

Each year, SASM runs a Sports Week where all pupils have an opportunity to try new sports such as karate, yoga or kayaking (which also equips pupils with water safety skills). This week also includes our annual Sports Morning, held in Victoria Park.  As part of the taught curriculum, pupils in Year 4 complete a series of swimming lessons. 

During each lunchtime, organised sports are hosted on the MUGA, led by a member of staff. This includes mixed and girls-only football sessions, basketball and cricket. We also have a popular outdoor gym and table tennis area. 

School Parliament

At SASM, every pupil delivers a speech to persuade their class to elect them as a Member of our School Parliament (MP). Following the speeches, each class elects an MP for each of our 5 school committees (environment, advocacy, learning, wellbeing and faith). As a result, we will have 60 elected MPs in the school, who work in their committees to lead change and make sure all pupils are included in life at SASM. 

Music tutition

In addition to our music curriculum, pupils have access to opportunities including:

SASM hosts one-to-one music tuition via the Kingston Music Service as well as funding whole-class music tuition in Year 5, where all pupils learn the ukulele. 

On Saturdays, SASM hosts pupils for Rock Squad, where groups of pupils form bands and learn a range of instruments. Termly rock-gigs are then performanced to parents, carers and the school community. 

Targeted Teaching Groups (TTGs)

All pupils have access to targeted teaching if they require it, regardless of whether they are on the school's SEND register. 

Find out more by exploring our inclusion page

School Buddies

At St Andrew's and St Mark's, we have a Year 3 and Year 6 buddy system that fosters meaningful relationships and a sense of community across age groups. Each Year 6 pupil is paired with a Year 3 buddy, providing younger students with a supportive mentor as they transition into Key Stage 2. This partnership builds confidence and social skills in Year 3 pupils while giving Year 6 students an opportunity to develop leadership, empathy, and responsibility. Together, these connections contribute to a caring and collaborative school environment where all pupils can thrive.

The Spiritual Garden

As a Gold Green Tree School, we are proud to champion environmental education and sustainability through the Woodland Trust's Green Tree Schools Award. This recognition highlights our commitment to fostering a love for nature and empowering pupils to take an active role in protecting the environment as well as a sense of belonging. Through initiatives such as tree planting, outdoor learning, and eco-friendly projects, our pupils develop a deep connection to the natural world and an understanding of their responsibility as global citizens. These experiences inspire them to thrive by building confidence, teamwork, and a sense of purpose while making a positive impact on the planet. 

Pupils are invited at lunchtimes to work in our Spiritual Garden, growing fruits and vegetables as well as creating habitats for wildlife. This opportunity gives pupils practical skills, enhances wellbeing and fosters a sense of stewardship.